Rugby: McLauchlan hails the role of B&I Cup

SCOTTISH Rugby president-elect Ian McLauchlan has backed the continuation of the new British and Irish Cup as a vehicle for testing club players at a higher level.

The tournament is the talk of clubhouses as the battle continues to fill what is hoped will be four places next year following a successful inaugural event with Heriot's facing Ayr on Thursday (at Malleny Park) and Currie heading for Glasgow Hawks on Saturday.

Ex-Scotland captain and double Lion McLauchlan, who will be installed unopposed at this year's annual meeting, said: "I'm all in favour of the British and Irish Cup and I'd like to see the (amateur) district championship reinstated. It's fitting everything in. This season a number of clubs have suffered and it is not just the high-profile outfits that depend on sevens tournaments for income as the weather extended the 15-a-side campaigns."

Edinburgh-based McLauchlan, who played for Jordanhill, described it as a "sort of accolade" to be installed unopposed and said he intended to put much emphasis on protecting rugby's ethos.

"I think rugby is the envy of many sports particularly in the way players react to referees. That must be maintained. Also, the social aspect remains important at all levels."